A DEVELOPMENT of 186 homes on fields off Haygrove Road, in Bridgwater, has been passed unanimously by Sedgemoor District Council's development control committee this afternoon.

Earlier, during public speaking time, councillors for the area who were not part of the voting committee, had raised serious concerns about the project.

David Baker, district councillor for Bridgwater Wyndham ward, told the committee, said: "The ward councillors strongly object to this.

"We have more than enough housing to meet our five year obligations.

"We believe the single access route (from Haygrove Road) is totally inadequate for a development of this size."

Ann Bown, Bridgwater West county councillor, said: "There would be more congestion at the entrance of Haygrove Road.

"You cannot possibly have at least an extra 372 cars, plus recycling and emergency vehicles."

However, the meeting also heard Somerset County Council, the highways authority, was satisfied with the scheme.

And Chris Gomm, district council planning officer, said although the proposed development land was not yet needed for housing in Sedgemoor's core strategy, it could be released early under exceptional circumstances, to fund 'transformational projects'.

He said this would include The Meads Eco-Park, which the Haygrove Road development, by David Wilson Homes, would make a major contribution towards.

Mr Gomm also said the developer would contribute to primary school places and flood defences.

He added: "This is a very good package of planning obligations."